Art of making paper tubes.



Patented Ian. 29, M90I.

J. H. & E. L. WHITE. VART 0F MAKING 4PAPER TUBES.

(Applicgztiunled Apr. 28, 1899;)

3 YSheets--Sheet `I.

(No Model.)

Patentad' 1an. 29. |90I. J. H. E. L. WHITE. A RT 0F MAKING PAPER. TUBES.

(Application filed Apr. 2a, ms.)

-3 sheetsshaatsz.

(No Model.)

No. 666,721. Patented 1an. 29, |9|o|.` J. H. & E. L. WHITE.

ART 0F MAKING vPAPER TUBES. (Application filed Apr. 2s, i899., (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.l

mi lm m' ilnirnn *srnrns PATENT Ormes.

JOHN Il. WHITE AND EDWARD L. WHITE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ART OF MAKING PAPER TUBES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,721, dated January 29, 1901. Application iiled April 28, 1899. Serial No. 714,892. (No specimens.)

To caf/ZZ whom t may concern:

Beit known that We, JOHN HOWARD WHITE and EDWARD LowRY WHITE, citizens of the United States, residing at Washington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Art of Making Paper Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the manufacture Io of paper tubes of various forms and sizes and adapted to various uses in a new way. Heretofore, so far as our knowledge extends, such tubes have been made by wrapping paper strips longitudinally or spirally around a mandrel, so that one ply or fold overlaps another, and cementing the seam or overlapping edge .of the strip during the process of forming. It is also common to waterproof or otherwise coat such tubes.

The objects of oui-invention are so to manufacturea paper tube that it will retain its form permanently without the use of cement, thus enabling us to dispense with cementing or gluing when desired; also, to facilitate the z 5 formation of the tube and secure its stiffness or rigidity when requisite.

To these ends our invention consists in certain new and useful improvements inthe method of procedure in making the tube.

The subject-matter claimed is hereinafter set forth.

In order to carry out our invention in the best way now known to us, we take a paper strip or ribbon of proper width and thickness and preferably fold one edge or side of it about one-third of the width of the strip over upon the body of the strip and press it so as to lie close thereto andthen fold the strip into tubular form, preferably in suchwise 4o that the internal bore or area of the tube is formed by the abutting edges of the portion of the strip first folded, While the opposite side or edge of the strip is wrapped around the other portion, so as to lie close thereto.

The strip is also preferably heated or heated and pressed while in this condition, the result of which heating or heating and compression We have discovered to be to cause the paper to become permanently set, so that 5o it retains the form given to it without the use of cement. This heating and'compressing We call ironing. For many purposes the Y tube thus manufactured is sufficiently stiff. We have not shown herein any means forl cementing the tube so as to cause its edges to adhere; but our invention is not, of course, limited tothe manufacture of an uncemented tube, as it is obvious that the operation'would not be interfered with if cement were applied to the overlapping portions of the tube dur- 6o ing its manufacture; but, as before stated, for many purposes the use of cement is unnecessary. Waterproofing material, such as paraffin, may be applied to the tube during its manufacture, if desired. The tube may be made by hand in this manner, if desired, by the use of a few simple tools. We have, however, devised cheap, simple, and effective apparatus for doing this work automatically. This apparatus, the construction of which 7o may be varied in several ways which would readily suggest themselves "to a skilful lnechanic on reading this specification, consists, essentially, of folding devices-such as guides, rollers, &c.-`-Which form the tube approximately into the shape desired. It then passes through a heater, which gives it the final shape, and at the same time imparts a permanent 'set to the thus-prepared' tube, which, if desired, may then be coated or wa- 8o terproofed by applying the necessary material while still hot. The tubes may be cut into lengths suitable for the purpose desired in usual ways.

The accompanying drawings showso much of one form of an improved apparatus for carrying out the objects of our invention as is necessary to illustrate the subject-matter claimed. Unless otherwise specified the different parts of the apparatus, broadly con- 9o sidered, are of usual well-known construction, the' apparatus consisting of novel combinations and organizations of instrumentalities hereinafter specified.

The feed end is herein called the front of the machine and the discharge end the rear.

Figure l is a plan or top view of the apparatus, and Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof. Figs. 3 to 1l, both inclusive, show detail loo views of the apparatus on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of the mechanism which forms the iirst fold of the paper strip. Fig. 4L shows the details of the devices for supporting and adjusting the wrapping mechanism which forms the overlapping fold of the formed tube. Fig. 5 shows a longitu-` dinal central section through the ironer, which gives a permanent set to the tube. This figure also shows a waterproofing device. Fig. 6 shows in perspective the folding-guide and its support. Figs. 7 to lO, both inclusive, represent cross-sections of this guide on the correspondingly-marked lines on Fig. 6, showing its details of construction, the dotted lines` showing the varying form imparted to the paper strip in traversing the guide. Fig. l1 shows a modified construction of the guide which forms the first fold of the strip, being a substitute for some of the guides and rollers shown in Fig. 3. Fig. l2, Sheet 2, shows the varying forms imparted to the strip as it traverses the guides, the different forms being marked correspondingly with the devices shown in Fig. 2, which produce the configuration shown.

The drawings show the mechanisms mounted on a suitable bed-plate or frame A. A paper strip of suitable width and texture passes from a reel or spool B through the longitudinally-slotted arms d of a guide D, the slots being slightly curved (see Fig. 12) to accommodate the bending of the strip by the first folding guides or rollers E F, one of which has Va V-shaped convex edge or periphery e and the other a correspondingly-shaped concave rim into which the Iirst one fits. The concave roller E preferably turns on a fixed axis,while the convex one, E, turns on a pivot carried by a slide f', free to move relatively to the fixed roller, being normally drawn thereto by a spring f2, thus pressing the pa per strip as it passes between them into the elbow or trough shape shown at tu, Fig. 12. The strip then passes between the compressing-rolls Gr H, one of which is provided with an annular square-shouldered groove g, while the other carries a correspondingly-shaped annular rib or iiange h. One of these rolls, preferably the upper one, is mounted in sliding spring-pressed bearings, Figs. 2 and 3, so that a yielding pressure is applied to the paper strip passing between the rolls, which action folds one side of the strip equal to about one-third of its entire width down upon the body of the strip, shown at Fig. l2. From these rolls the paper strip thusfolded traverses a mandrel I, mounted on a bracket J and extending toward the discharge end of the machine, and then passes through acoiled or snail-'shaped folding or wrapping guide K, preferably of the form shown in the drawings. The axes of the mandrel and guide coincide. This guide is mounted in a hanger L, pinjointed at Z to a laterally-adjustable slide Z2, held in its adjusted position by a thumbscrew Z3. works in a guide-plate Z4, having a vertical screw rod or stem Z5 extending through a (See Figs. 4 and 6.) The slidebushing Z6 in a laterally-projecting arm of a bracket M. This screw-rod Z5 is preferably made polygonal where it passes through the bushing and is provided with a clamp-nut m. The guide-plate may be vertically adjusted by means of a nut m on the screw rod or stem. We are thus enabled to adjust the wrapping-guide accurately in all necessary directions.

The construction and operation of the guide K are clearly shown in Figs. 6 to lO, both inclusive. The partially folded and bent paper strip enters the larger end of the guide, as shown in Fig. 7, the lapped orturned-down edge being folded around its inner edge,while the other edge extends up along the inside' of the outer side of the same. As the strip traverses the guide it is turned into a tubular spiral form, with its single outer side or edge overlapping its doubled portion; but the tube is not completely closed, that closure being done later on by the ironer. The coiled folded paper strip passes from the wrapping-guide K through what we call an ironer, shown as consisting of a metal block O, having a longitudinal central bore o, coinciding with the axis of the mandrel I, which extendsvthrough it. The greater part of the bore is of uniform diameter; but its entrance or feed end 03 is made bell-mouthed or flared in such manner as to receive the partially-formed tube and guide it into the bore proper without breaking or crushing the paper. Both the wrapping-guide K and ironer O may be heated in usual ways, preferably by Bunsen burners. The drawings show separate burners R S under the guide and ironer supplied with either liquid or gaseous fuel from a suitable reservoir by means of pipes r s, provided with suitable stop cocks or valves r' S'. We are then enabled to secure any desirable degree of heat and to regulate it properly, which is advantageous, as we find it useful to use a higher degree of heat than usual in machines which merely employ heat to dry the cement employed in pasting the tube. The degree of heat eniployed may vary from 200o to 500o Fahrenheit and even higher, depending upon the quality and thickness of the paper and the speed with which it is passed through the mold. The heat is sufficient to soften the sizing of the paper, thus rendering it temporarily iieXible, pliable, and non-elastic, and enabling it to be, as it were, molded as it passes through the ironer. After the paper tube has left the ironer it cools, the sizing resets, and the tube is given a permanent form. We find this heating of the paper reduces to a minimum the friction in passing through the machine by counteracting the resiliency or tendency of the paper to resume its original shape, while at the same time the ironer imparts a permanent set to the then-formed tube as it passes therethrough. As before remarked, the mandrel I extends centrally through the bore of the ironer, there being IIO IIS

just sufficient' glue, or paste;

the paperv` strip vor compressed cond'` y ironer giviuga'peruiauent set to the tube.

tudinal seam hld permanently closed bythe elasticity, resilience, or set thus given -tothe foldedstripwithout the use of cement, Vel lind such tubes useful for manypurp'osesinthe artssuch as n:\at.ch` splint-s, forI instance; but theseam may be pastedfinusualjways, if desired, during'its formation 'or afterward.' AWhile we have not shown anylfuielat`1-s`- fr pasting the seam, our invention is'f 'course not limited to an unpasted seam. t, l

While ""e"'p`refe1""'to simultaneously heat and compress the tube in order to give it its nal form, the compression m'aybe'omitted, as the heat togwhich thetube is subjected is suflicient to alone impart t'o it a permanent form or set. f

It is frequentlydesirableto Waterproof or coat paper tubes. We attain this end in an improyed way by meanslshownin the accompanying drawings.' A recess P in the discharge end of the ironer O is shown as closed by'a screw-plug P', through which the central boreo extends. (See Fig. 5.) A coatingchamber, preferably of hour-glassV shape in 'cross-section, as shown, is forrned,preferab1y,

by beveling the in ner walls of the recess P and screw-plug P'. A pipe p2l connects this coating-chamber with a reservoir P8, containing suitable waterprooiing material, such as paraflin, lkept'in a properlyfluid condition by a suitable heater P5-such, for instance, as a VBunseu burner. Thecentral portions of the ironer and screw-plug around the base are made square or' liat, while the coating-chamber flares outwardly from this central part. The waterproofing or coating material flows to the paper through the annular central neck or passagethus formed between the ironerand screw-plug, and as this neck may be entirely closed or extent by the screw-plug the supply may be perfectly regulated. We are thus enabled to apply the waterprooiin'gor .coating material to the heated-paper tubes, which we deem advantageous, as the hot paper absorbs the waterproofing material more readily. and with greater uniformity than unheated paper would do.

The inished continuous tube which issues from the apparatus may be severed into suitable lengths bycutters of well-knownl construction. The'form of the finished tube triade by the above-described apparatus is shown in perf spective in Fig.v 12 and.in.ctosssect.ion at a in that ligure. From these figures it will be seen that the side or edgeof the paper strip which forms the inner wall of the finished tube is double for aboutonc-third of the width of the strip and that this doubled or folded over portion constitutes the circumference of f rrnedltube `to pass in" a ton, thelheat appliedfinthe paper tube tnayfthiisbefformed with a longi-4 opened to any desired "amenait f 'y y 3 ther'flbore .or innerfwallfof the finished tube,

`.znrainst the` dubledpprtion and.thatahel ,circlest.hisdoubled portion.; We `find that `this construction not only facilitates the forstitfe-tQ-and ybetterarticle than can be obtained l ping single strips.

by apparatus ditering from that above dedotted lines the paper strip traversing fixed guides. A base-plate X supports brackets `metal guide XA, by which one Jside or edge of the paper `strip is bent or folded over upon the other, as above described, in proper shape to enter the rolls G'H aud traverse the inaudrel, guide K, dac.

Ve have hereinbefore described tubes cirlcular in cross-sectionvonly. Our apparatus, however, is readily adaptable to -the 'manufacture of tubes of other shapes and of larger would readily occur to one reading this speciiicaiiion. Y

While we prefer to apply the coating material by means of a chamber formed at one end of thegironer, the lcoating material may of coursenvith perhapsinferior resulta, be applied by an apparatusffcontiguous to the discharge end ofthe ironer or at any time subsequently. i l

We do not herein claim the tube itself, as

of another application, Serial No. 714,893, 'led April 28, 1899. v

We do not herein claim the apparatus herein shown and described for the manufacture of tu bes, as Yclai ms for such apparatus are contained in our application for patent, Serial No. 741,314, tiled December 22, 1899, which ,is a division ofthepreseut application, and in our Patent No. 652,868 of July 3, 1900, the applithe present application.

We claim asf'ofj :four invention ment in the art-of making paper tubes, said improvement consisting infolding a paper strip into tubular form, and then heating the tube to soften the sizing andset the paper permanently in tubularl form.

`2. The' hereinbefore described improvement. in the art of making papertubes, said improvement comprising the successive steps of folding a paper strip into tubular form, audthen ironing the same by heat and pressure to soften` the sizing and fix or set the tube in its iinished'vform.

The hereinbefore -described improve mation of the tube, but produces a stronger,`

Our improved form of tubel may be made scribed. yFor instance, Fig. 11 shows a de?z vice which may be substituted for the benriA ing-rollers E F and other parts intimately,` y. connected therewith. This ligure shows ini' i claims thereto constitute the subject-matter cation for which patent Wasalso a division of l .withthe inner` edgeofA thestrip abutting 'l outer coil or layer of the tube overlaps or endiameter suitable for various purposes, which y roo . 12o l. The 'hereinbefore described improve- 7S by the-ordinary way of overlapping or wrapi; @empf-ming he eueeefssive steps me, @ne rml efe paper Siri-p upon 'gaendng she emp @has folded into 5; if "f, l, and then hemaing'he-tube thus je@ te er) Weihe ezingend fix 01- set the la muzi fmml f The bereeize-G-'fe ese'rifned mpx'ovef memn the wt ef mangfpaper' 'ubee`, Seid imprevemem eempriein'g abe successive steps therein.

- men'ulthe er@ onf-making Vpaper tubes, said improvement eompmsng the suceessive .steps *of foc'ling a page?. eax-'ip into' 'tubular form, ioning ia by heat m16 pressure, and eppygwasrproong or srengthleung material thereto.

Themethod ef m met@ in' shaping' 'im-ek tubular form a strip of shee, nieexiie, and suixbsequently subjecting the 'timmer body te hem; Whie held in 9. con- 'ze @pene meeet asettingend muding of scribed emnames,

king Lubes, 'which con meagre?.

the lapped paris Wityfxo'ut paste Q1' 'other auxiery adhesive, subsmu'tiely as set forth.

7. The method of making tubes which com siss in shaping iutoilbuar ferm Ia. strip o'go peper; and subsequently subjecting the wfeuer bmyte'hee, Whe hedet all pointe within. the interior. and ou the exteor-ahereof, te e'veet @setting of theappngpmts without peste, or eher'aux'iliary adhesive, .subsantially as Set'ferth.

8,. The method of making tubes'which eojn- :sietein` folding afst'rip of paper igt@ straight" ,ing the convelutef stm-ip' .While held at all points in 'tubular fzfm to eiect a'setting and molding of the lapped parts Without pasteur other auxiliary adhesivo, substantially as set forth. y

In testmonywhereef we have hereunto sxb- 45 JOHN-HpWHITE; EDWARD L. WHITE.

'Wimessesc i I I W. D.- BALDWN,

LLOYD B. WIGHT. 

